After the SEC Championship, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian revealed that the team had a crucial “come to Jesus” meeting regarding their performance, particularly focusing on penalties. The Longhorns, who had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, found themselves facing a tough reality after their loss in the SEC Championship game. While the game itself offered plenty of lessons, it was the number of penalties that stood out as a significant issue.
Sarkisian described the meeting as a wake-up call for his players, emphasizing the need for discipline and focus moving forward. “We had to have a real conversation about how we were playing, and how we had to clean things up,” Sarkisian explained. He acknowledged that the penalties were an area that the team could control, and if Texas wanted to compete at the highest level, particularly with the upcoming challenges in the SEC, they would need to minimize mistakes and stay disciplined.
Throughout the SEC Championship, Texas was flagged for a number of costly penalties, some of which stopped promising drives and gave opponents advantageous field position. Sarkisian made it clear that such mistakes are unacceptable, especially for a program that aspires to compete for championships. He called on his players to take ownership of their actions, stressing that mental errors like penalties were a sign of not being fully in tune with the game plan or the opponent’s tactics.
The “come to Jesus” meeting was not just about the penalties, though. It was a broader reflection on the team’s growth and maturity. Sarkisian noted that while Texas has a talented roster, they must continue to evolve, both mentally and physically, to be considered true contenders on the national stage. Sarkisian’s transparency and leadership in addressing the issue showed that he is committed to ensuring that Texas avoids repeating past mistakes as they continue their journey in the SEC.
In the end, Sarkisian’s message was clear: discipline, focus, and minimizing penalties are non-negotiable elements if Texas wants to be successful moving forward. The meeting may have been tough, but it was a necessary step toward the team’s future success.
